Top Performers
Kapolei's Higa, Iolani's Torres-Benito lead weekly standouts




Male Athlete of the Week: Isaiah Higa, Kapolei basketball
As Isaiah Higa has grown as a basketball player, so has his role for the Kapolei Hurricanes this season.

The 5-foot-7 junior guard turned in his best performance of the year in Saturday's 74-57 road win at Waianae. Higa poured in four of his team's eight 3-pointers en route to scoring a career-high 21 points to lead four Hurricanes in double figures.

Kapolei coach Gary Ellison said Higa has come a long way in his two seasons on the varsity squad — but still has a long way to go.

"He was more of a reserve player for us last year," Ellison said. "He had a lot of growing up to do last year — and he's still a little immature — but one of the things I told him at the end of last year was that he had to grow up and he did, but this year he's still got to grow up a little more."

The improvements on the hard wood have been hard to ignore, however.

Higa averages 10.9 points per game and is one of three Hurricanes averaging double figures in scoring, behind Zoar Nedd (17.7 ppg in OIA games) and Ja'Shon Carter (14.1 ppg). He has scored at least 12 points in all but two of Kapolei's first seven league contests.

"He's getting a lot better, so much better. He's been improving since the beginning of the season," said Ellison, who noted that Higa started the season on the bench, but worked his way into the starting lineup.

"It starts with his defense. He's been working on improving his defense from last year, so a lot of his points come off the defense," Ellison said. "He's kind of turned into one of our better defenders and now he's adding the offensive game too, so it's a big plus for us."

Higa's previous season-high mark came in a 13-point effort against Pearl City two weeks ago, but easily surpassed that Saturday.

"He had a really excellent game against Waianae. He couldn't miss. Everything he threw up went in," Ellison said.

Ellison said Higa has worked on getting off his shot quicker, which helped stymie the upset-minded Seariders.

"Isaiah's first six points of the game were 3-pointers," Ellison said. "He hit one in the third quarter that was huge because (Waianae guard) Douglas Mitchell just got a dunk on us and Isaiah came back and hit a big 3-pointer to keep the crowd in check."

Higa has been consistently good at the free-throw line, where he is 15 of 17 for the season (88.2 percent). He typically draws the defensive assignment of the best player on the opposing team, a role that Ellison said Higa relishes.

"We usually ask him to step up and he'll say, ‘I got him, coach,' and I let him go do it. I don't argue with it," Ellison said. "He's always been an offensively-minded player, but this year he's adding the defense to it and it's making him a better all-around player."

Still, Ellison veered back to Higa's mental approach to the game that has shown the most progression.

"I think what really impresses me the most about him, not just for that night, but overall, is that when he first started with us, it was all about ‘me,' but now he's developed into a team-first concept and he wants to be a team player and because of that he's gotten so much better," Ellison said. "He's really bought into our concept of playing as one team and that's where a lot of his success has been coming from. He's a good kid and he's working hard."

Kapolei is one of three remaining unbeatens in the OIA, and one of two in the West.

The Hurricanes (7-0) have won their first seven games by an average of more than 19 points and appear headed for an end-of-the-season showdown against Leilehua (7-0) on Jan. 27 — not that Ellison is looking that far ahead.

"Playing a good team like Waianae really helped out with the confidence and now the boys are starting to believe they can play with anybody. We don't want to make it sound like we're being cocky because we're always just taking it one game at a time, but it's good to have confidence and everybody understanding what their roles are on the team," Ellison said. "We still haven't peaked yet, but it's coming around."

Higa and the ‘Canes will return to the court Thursday when they visit Mililani at 6:30 p.m.


Female Athlete of the Week: Shantel Torres-Benito, Iolani soccer
Iolani girls soccer coach Kristin Masunaga has a secret weapon at his disposal this season in the form of Shantel Torres-Benito.

Make no mistake, Torres-Benito is no spring chicken, but rather a familiar race in a new place for the Raiders. Torres-Benito is one of three four-year players on the roster — along with Kylee Kim-Bustillos and Samantha Masca — but after three seasons mostly spent as an attacker, she dropped back to the back line to help anchor the defense this year.

"Of course, her love is playing forward and scoring goals, but she was willing to play wherever we needed her," Iolani coach Kristin Masunaga said.

Part of the move was necessitated by team need. The Raiders lost their defensive lynchpin in Rachel Bowler, last year's All-Hawaii Defensive Player of the Year, to graduation last spring.

"Shantel brings speed and in club she was playing defense and we needed speed on our defensive line," Masunaga said. "She's one of the fastest players on our team."

However, a preseason knee injury knocked Torres-Benito to the sidelines just before the start of the ILH season.

"She went to the doctor, got an MRI and has to wear a brace, but she can just play as much as she can tolerate the pain," Masunaga said.

Meanwhile, the Raiders got off to a 3-0 start in league play, but had a pair of 1-1 ties against Punahou and Kamehameha just seven days apart and that necessitated another move involving Torres-Benito.

"For her, it's like she has a knee injury and then we moved her to defense and then we needed to score so we moved her up top, so we've asked a lot of her," Masunaga said.

It didn't take long for the move to pay off. Torres-Benito scored seven goals in her first three games back up top, including a hat trick against Sacred Hearts on Jan. 7. She now has 10 on the season, which ties her with freshman Mia Watanabe for the second most of the team behind Kim-Bustillos' 21 goals.

Torres-Benito's biggest goal of the year came in the 65th minute of Saturday's 2-1 win at Punahou. After the Buffanblu got the equalizing goal just four minutes prior, Torres-Benito netted the go-ahead score off an assist from Watanabe.

"I think Mia Watanabe beat her man and then slotted it back to Shantel and I don't think there was a Punahou defender close to her," Masunaga said of the goal. "The keeper kind of came out on the cross, but Shantel was very composed and put it away."

Torres-Benito did not start the game. She entered both halves as a substitute, which Masunaga thinks has played to Iolani's advantage.

"It must be hard for her because she's not starting, but I kind of joked with her that she's our secret weapon," Masunaga said. "They're not going to expect someone of her caliber coming off the bench and one thing that we have this year is more depth so we're able to sub more, but she did her job. She's not starting right now, but she's definitely a very impactful player."

With its 6-1 win over Mid-Pacific Monday, Iolani improved to 9-0-2 and clinched a state tournament berth.

The Raiders' 29 championship points assures they can finish no worse than second. They are the lone remaining unbeaten in the ILH and hold a one-point lead over second-place Punahou (9-1-1) and a four-point lead on third-place Kamehameha (8-2-1).

Torres-Benito and the Raiders will visit the Warriors in Saturday's regular-season finale. The top two teams in the final ILH standings qualify for the state tournament.


BOYS BASKETBALL
Jayrius Alapai, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points in a loss to Aiea

Jake Arakawa, Island Pacific — Scored 18 points in a win over Damien II

Trey Boatwright, Leilehua — Scored 18 points in a win over Mililani

Eli Busenbark, Honolulu Waldorf — Scored 18 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Huttachia Buttayotee, McKinley — Scored 20 points in a win over Castle

Jaylen Cain, Maryknoll — Scored 26 points in a win over Saint Louis

Jeremy Coloyan, McKinley — Scored 18 points in a win over Castle

RJ Dominguez, Moanalua — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kalaheo

Tate Esperanza, Kaiser — Scored 19 points in a win over Anuenue

Cameron Henry, Mililani — Scored 22 points in a win over Nanakuli

Hugh Hogland, Iolani — Scored 18 points in a win over Kamehameha

Joshua Hooper, Hanalani — Scored 28 points in a loss to University Labd

Nalu Kahapea, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored 18 points in a win over Hilo

Travis Kaloa, University Lab — Scored 17 points in a win over Hanalani and scored 22 points in a win over Le Jardin

Kevin Kim, McKinley — Scored 18 points in a win over Kalani

Reid Kim, Hawaiian Mission — Scored 30 points in a win over Damien II

Chris Kobayashi, Punahou — Scored 17 points in a win over Maryknoll

Lancen Kuni, Waialua — Scored 22 points in a loss to Kapolei and scored 27 points in a loss to Radford

Isaac Liu, Hilo — Scored 17 points in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii

Akamu Makua, Kamehameha II — Scored 19 points in a win over Maryknoll II

Zachary Marrotte, Kailua — Scored 20 points in a loss to Kaimuki

Brayden Marumoto, Damien II — Scored 22 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Calvin Mattos, Waiakea — Scored 27 points in a win over St. Joseph

Douglas Mitchell, Waianae — Scored 18 points in a loss to Kapolei

Micah Mitchell, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 19 points in a win over Le Jardin and scored 25 points in a loss to Damien

Jorden Ne, Castle — Scored 19 points in a win over Roosevelt

Zoar Nedd, Kapolei — Scored 17 points in a win over Waialua and scored 17 points in a win over Waianae

Kameron Ng, Saint Francis — Scored 18 points in a win over Damien

Joven Padrigo, Kau — Scored 17 points in a loss to Hawaii Prep

Frank Schmidt, Honolulu Waldorf — Scored 22 points in a loss to Hawaiian Mission

Joseph Sealy, Maryknoll II — Scored 26 points in a loss to Kamehameha II

Ryan Shin, Maryknoll II — Scored 22 points in a loss to Punahou II and scored 24 points in a loss to Kamehameha II

Jason Talbo, Roosevelt — Scored 26 points in a loss to Castle

Fred Taulung, Kaimuki — Scored 20 points in a win over Kailua

Moustapha Wagne, Nanakuli — Scored 20 points in a loss to Mililani

Max Wiemken, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 20 points in a win over Le Jardin

Dominic Venezia, Le Jardin — Scored 26 points in a loss to Hawaii Baptist

Matija Vitorovic, Hawaii Prep — Scored 24 points in a win over Kau


GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camy Aguinaldo, Iolani — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou

Jasianna Ah Nee Green, Campbell — Scored 16 points with 14 rebounds in a win over Kapolei

Apreal Ansagay, Honokaa — Scored 15 points in a win over Pahoa

Mia Barret, Le Jardin — Scored 21 points in a loss to Saint Francis

Kalei Cates, Nanakuli — Scored 18 points in a win over Aiea

Kaelyn Espinda, Kaimuki — Scored 20 points in a win over Kalani

Joselle Ferrer, McKinley basketball — Scored 16 points with five rebounds in a win over Moanalua

Logo Galeai, Kahuku — Scored 22 points in a win over Castle

Kalena Gibson, Mililani — Scored 16 points in a win over Waialua

Kamalu Kamakawiwoole, Maryknoll — Scored 15 points in a win over Punahou

Ciera Kameehonua, Mid-Pacific — Scored 18 points in a win over Hawaiian Mission and scored 20 points in a win over University Lab

Kamaile Kandiah, Punahou — Scored 18 points in a loss to Maryknoll and scored 17 points in a loss to Iolani

Kawena Kaohimaunu, Honokaa — Scored 16 points in a win over PAhoa

Mandi Kawaha, Hilo — Scored 15 points in a win over Kau

Victoria Kintz, Kaimuki — Scored 19 points in a win over Kalani

Kirstin Kouchi, Kalani — Scored 21 points in a win over Roosevelt

Faith Lee, Hanalani — Scored 18 points in a win over Island Pacific

Kloe Lum, McKinley — Scored 20 points in a win over Kailua

Mikiala Maio, Kamehameha — Scored 14 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to Maryknoll

Angelica Moli, Aiea — Scored 21 points in a loss to Nanakuli

Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena — Scored 19 points in a win over Keaau

Katelyn Nakagawa, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 18 points in a win over Damien

Kyley Nakagawa, Hawaii Baptist — Scored 17 points in a win over Damien

Alana Nuuanu, Nanakuli — Scored 17 points in a win over Waipahu

Chyel Palmer, Leilehua — Scored 19 points in a win over Pearl City

Delylah Sanerivi, Moanalua — Scored 15 points with 10 rebounds in a loss to McKinley

Danielle Silva, Campbell — Scored 15 points with seven steals and four assists in a win over Kapolei

Mikayla Tablit, Konawaena — Scored 23 points in a win over Keaau

Sirena Titer, Kaimuki — Scored 15 points in a win over Kahuku

Olivia Vaeatangitau, Saint Francis — Scored 20 points in a win over Le Jardin

Sunshine Vicente, Roosevelt — Scored 20 points in a loss to KAlani


BOYS SOCCER
Eric Aquino, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Lucas Archibald, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Ramon Cedillo, Lahainaluna — Scored two goals in a win over St. Anthony

Hunter DeTurk, Punahou — Scored two goals in a win over Kamehameha

Claudio Dortait, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waialua

Isaiah Duldulao, Waimea — Scored two goals in a win over Island School

Kaimipono Halemano, Kamehameha — Scored four goals in a win over Damien

Payad Jadsopha, McKinley — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Eugene Kim, McKinley — Scored two goals in a tie versus Farrington

Treyton Kong, Mililani — Scored the lone goal in a win over Radford

Garrison Lee, Kapolei — Scored three goals in a win over Nanakuli

Cole Mattos, Maui — Scored two goals in a win over Seabury Hall

Carl Mecham, Waimea — Scored three goals in a win over Kauai

Collin Miller, King Kekaulike — Scored the lone goal in a win over Lahainaluna

Ripley Quebral, Kailua — Scored two goals in a win over Moanalua

Austin Schneider, Hawaii Prep — Scored two goals in a win over Keaau

Tanner Shimomoto, Iolani — Scored two goals in a win over PAC-5

Kalei Tolentino-Perry, Hilo — Scored four goals in a win over Makua Lani

David Tupper, Campbell — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu

Tutearii Tutura, Kapaa — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kauai

Hunter Wells, Kalani — Scored two goals in a win over Kaimuki

Daniel Woo, Pearl City — Scored two goals in a win over Leilehua

Bradyn Yoshida, Kapolei — Scored two goals in a win over Waipahu


GIRLS SOCCER
Lyti Akinaka, King Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Sakari Bell, Moanalua — Scored two goals in a win over Roosevelt

Hiwa Brown, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Konawaena

Darian Fernandez, King Kekaulike — Scored two goals in a win over Lahainaluna

Sunshine Fontes, Pearl City — Scored three goals in a win over Leilehua

Bethanee Hanaike, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Hevani Haunga, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored two goals in a win over Konawaena

Jordan Hill, Aiea — Scored twice in a win over Nanakuli

Ilihia Keawekane, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored the lone goal in a win over King Kekaulike

Skylar Littlefield, Baldwin — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Haley Miyasato, Hilo — Scored the lone goal in a win over Makua Lani

Kaylee Overmyer, Kapaa — Scored the lone goal in a win over Kauai

Tare Rillon, PAC-5 — Scored two goals in a win over Mid-Pacific

Ciana Rivera, Castle — Scored two goals in a win over Kalaheo

Kiana Serrao, Waiakea — Scored three goals in a win over Kealakehe

Riley Sobriakoff, Hawaii Prep — Scored three goals in a win over Keaau

Ali Temme, Island School — Scored two goals in a win over Waimea

Kyanna Torres, Lahainaluna — Scored four goals in a win over St. Anthony



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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